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FORTI FICATIONS; 



BY 



ALFRED SANDHAM, 



Author of Coins of Canada, Montreal Past and Present, &c, &c 



FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY, 



MONTREAL : 

DANIEL ROSE, 2IO ST. JAMES STREET. 

Printer to the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society. 

IS/4. 



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Jo 
J. JV\. LEiV^OINE, ESQj 



OF QUEBEC, 



AUTHOR OF "MAPLE LEAVES," ETC., 



T«IS WORK 



IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 



BY 




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



FULL PAGE. 

V Frontispiece — Cartier's visit to Hochelaga 1535. 

^ Plate 1 — Champlain'8 Map of Part of the Island of Montreal. 

J u 2 — Autographs of Cartier, Champlain, Maisoneuve, DeCalliere and 

.Mademoiselle Mance. 
^ tl 3— -Plan of Montreal (1680), shewing the old Chateau, or Fort of Ville 

Marie. 
V tt 4_Autograph of DAilleboust, DeRamezay, Louis XV, Marshal 

D'Estrees, and LaChapelle. 
/ <« 5 — Plan of Fort and Windmill on Citadel Hill (now Dalhousie Square.) 

* a q — Chaussegros DeLery's Plan of Stone Fortifications, 
V « *i — Sections of Walls according to DeLery's Plan. 

/ « 8 — Autographs of Begon, Amherst, Vaudreuil, Montgomery, J. M. 
Mondelet, John Eichardson, and Marguerite Bourgeoys. 

• " 9— Plan of Montreal in 1759. 

>/ « io — View of Montreal in 1760, from an old print. 

/ " 11 — Montreal in 1803, shewing the old walls on the River front. 



WOOD CUTS. 

Section of Indian Palisade page 6 

Old French Cathedral « 9 

Bare Medal, bearing a view of Montreal in 1760 u 20 

Portrait and Autograph of James McGill '' 21 

Ancient French Halbard " 23 

Old Barracks. " 24 

Ancient Towers and " Maison des Pretres," " 25 






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MONTREAL; 



AND ITS 



FORTIFICATIONS. 







!S an Art, fortification is very nearly as ancient as 
the existence of Society. " When men first as- 
sembled together for the purpose of mutual pro- 
tection, and placed their habitations on the same 
spot, the law of necessity, springing- in this case out of the 
principle of self defence, rendered it indispensible for them 
to adopt some means for securing their families, and their 
property against the sudden inroads of enemies. In early 
ages, men considered themselves as sufficiently protected by 
a single wall, from behind which they could with safety dis- 
charge their darts, arrows, and other missiles against an as- 
sailant ; but when, in the progress of improvement, new and 
more powerful means of attack were discovered, it became 
necessary to increase, in a corresponding degree the means 
of resistance, and accordingly the feeble defensive structures 
of the primitive ages were in time succeeded by solid ram- 
parts, flanked and commanded by elevated towers."* 

* Encyclopaedia Britannica. 



The savages of America, like those of other lands usually- 
adopted as a means of defence, a circular palisade, a form 
which appears to have been adhered to by many of the 
tribes which inhabited that portion of America, now com- 
prised within the limits of the Dominion of Canada. When 
Jacques Carrier* in 1535, first visited the island whereon now 
stands the City of Montreal, he found it inhabited by a tribe 
of Indians, who had established themselves near the foot of 
the Mountain, which he named Mount Royal.-)- Here 
they had erected their cabins or lodges, about 50 in 
number, the whole being encircled with a palisade formed of 
the trunks of trees set in a triple row. The outer and inner 
ranges inclined till they met and crossed near the summit, 




SECTION OF INDIAN PALISADE. 

while the upright row between them, aided by transverse 
braces, gave to the whole an abundant strength. Within were 
galleries for the defenders, rude ladders to mount them, and 
magazines of stones to throw down on the heads of the 
assailants. J The entrance was a narrow portal, barely 
sufficient to admit the bodies of the savages who dwelt with- 



* Jacques Cartier, the discoverer of Canada, was born at St. Malo, in France, in 1500. On 
the 15th May, i&34, he sailed from his native city, on his first voyage to America, returning to 
France in August of the same year. He made a second voyage in 1635, and on the festival ot 
St. Lawrence, he reached the entrance of the river, which he named in honor of the Saint. 
In September, he reached Stadacona (Quebec), and in October visited Hochelaga (Montreal), 
and shortly after returned to France. In i54r, as second in command to DeRoberval, he again 
risited Canada, and died shortly after his return to France. See Autograph, Plate 2, fig. 1. 

t See Frontispiece. 

J Pioneers of France in the New World.— Parkman. 



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in these, the first fortifications on the Island of Montreal. The 
palisades must have enclosed a large area, as Cartier states 
that each of the 50 oblong dwellings were fifty yards or 
more in length, and 12 or 15 wide, while in the centre of 
the town was an open area, or public square, a stone's-throw 
in width. The population was also numerous, as in each of 
the dwellings resided many families. 

How long those primitive fortifications withstood the at- 
tacks made by hostile tribes, we know not, and Cham- 
plain*who visited the island in 1609 and 161 1 makes no men- 
tion of them. It was during Champlain's second visit that 
he chose a site on the island, and cleared ground for a proposed 
trading post.fThe spot chosen was immediately above a small 
stream (now covered by Commissioner Street and St. Anns 
Market) which entered the St. Lawrence at what is now 
known as Pointe a Calibre. J Here, on the margin of the 
stream, in order to test the effects of the ice shove, he erected 
the first wall built on the island with mortar and bricks, the 
bricks being made from clay found near the spot.§ On, or near 
this spot,3i years later, landed the intrepidMaisonneuve,|| and 
his little band of ardent follower? — " The grain of mustard 



* Samuel de Champlain was a native of Brouage in France. In 1603-07, he explored the 
St. Lawrence from Tadousac to Three Rivers, On the 3rd July, 1608, he laid the foundation of 
Quebec. Under successive Vice-Roys he continued to act as Lieutenant, and in 1627 the 
Vice Royalty was suspended, and Champlain was appointed first Governor of New France. He 
died on Christmas day, 1635, deeply regretted by the Colonists. See Autograph, Plate 2, fig.2. 

t See plate 1. 

{ So called after the Chevalier Hector de Calliere, a native of Torigny in Normandy, who 
came to Canada as a member of the Montreal Trading Company, and was appointed Governor 
of the City. In 1698 he succeeded Frontenac as Governor of New France, and held the ap- 
pointment until 1703. The great wisdom manifested by him during his term of office endeared 
him to the people. In 1701 he concluded a favorable treaty (at Montreal) with the Indians, 
thereby securing a long term of peace. See Autograph, Plate 2, figure 4. 

§ Very fine clay for brick making was formerly taken in large quantities from the 
neighbourhood of this site and through Griffintown. 

|| Paul Chomedey Sieur De Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, of whose early history but 
little has been handed down to the present, was its first Governor. In 1647, he was, at his own 
request, replaced by M. d'Ailleboust. For his valuable services to the Church of Rome in 
Canada, a pension was conferred upon him by the Seminary at Paris. See Autograph, Plate 2, 
figure 3. 



8 

seed that was to grow until its branches overshadowed the 
land." May 18th, 1642, was the birth day of Ville Marie, as 
Montreal was named by its pious founders. It was a wild, 
yet beautiful scene which lay before their view, but they 
knew full well that amid the green woods which surrounded 
them, there were foes against whom they must defend them- 
selves, and their first thought was to erect their homes with 
a view to mutual protection. Their dwellings were built 
closely together, and the whole was surrounded by palisades 
of wood and stone, known as the Fort and Chateau of 
Ville Marie,* and it was immediately outside these walls 
that the first Hospital (under the management of Mademoi- 
selle Mance*f") was erected, and likewise enclosed with pali- 
sades. 

The Fort was the scene of many attacks by the Indians, 
and at times it was dangerous to pass beyond the palisades. 
In front of its walls, Maisonneuve proved to his followers that 
while he desired their safety, he himself was no coward, 
but ready if needs be, to face single handed the savage 
hordes. Near this fort was also erected a windmill for the use 
of the colonists. The fort gradually fell into decay J and 
the remaining portion of timber and stone was used in the 
erection of part of the first Parish Church in Place d'Armes 



* The fort was built of wood, and was constructed by Maisonneuve, in accordance with 
plans made under the direction of M. Louis D'Ailleboust, Governor of Canada. — Viger's 
Notes to Dollicr de Cassou's His. of Montreal, published by the Montreal His. Soc. pp. 218. 
M. Louis D'Ailleboust was appointed Governor of Canada in 1647. He was of German 
descent. He came to Canada, but a short time anterior to his appointment, with about 100 
Colonists ; bringing also with him his wife and sister. Replaced by De Lauzon in i65i, he 
settled in the Country, and died at Quebec in 1660. See Autograph, Plate 4, fig. 1. For plan 
of the Fort and Chateau, see Plate 3. 

t Mademoiselle Mance was a descendant of an ancient family in France. She accompanied 
Maisonneuve and his party to Montreal, for the purpose of superintending the hospital which 
the Colonists had decided to erect on their arrival. At this time she was 34 years of age, and 
although of delicate constitution, was ready to face any hardship, so that she might spread the 
cause of her Church. See Autograph, Plate 2, fig. 5. 

\ On or near this site DeCalliere subsequently erected his private residence, known as the 
Chateau Calliere. Mr. Viger in his Notes to the History of Montreal, says, that in his early 
days he had seen traces of the old fortifications at Point a Calliere. 



in 1672.* As years rolled by, the demands of the increasing 




OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH CHURCH, PLACE D'ARMES. 

population required the erection of another Mill at the east- 
ern extremity of the town, as laid out by Maisonneuve. Ac- 
cordingly an elevation at the lower end of Notre Dame Street*)* 
was chosen and about the year 1680, the mill was erected, 
and surrounded by a wall, which continued to serve as a 
a battery for the defence of the town, the " guns com- 
manding the whole extent of the streets from one end to the 
other." J Of the final demolition of this fort I shall speak 
hereafter, and shall now proceed to review the events which 



* " For the erection of this Church, contributions of money, material orlabor were proffered, 
and the priests of the Seminary resolved to demolish the Chateau and fort of Ville Marie, which 
was falling into ruins, and to use the timber and stone in the new building." 

f Now Dalhousie Square. t See Plate 5. 



10 

led to the erection of fortifications of sufficient extent to en- 
close the town itself, In 1664, the English acquired posses- 
sion of the Province of NewYork,and being desirous of making, 
as much as possible out of their new acquisition, they sought, 
and obtained, a large portion of the fur trade which had hither- 
to been wholly centred in Montreal. The success which at- 
tended their efforts led to much jealousy between them and 
the French. To secure themselves in the matter, the English- 
managed to retain as allies and friends, the powerful Iro- 
quois, who proved of great service in repelling the incursions 
of the French. As the French settlements increased, the 
colonists assumed offensive operations on the New England 
frontier, and the spirit of the British being roused, the result 
was that both parties, aided by the Indians, carried on a de- 
structive warfare. Montreal naturally became the point of 
attack, and to protect the town, the Governor, M. de Calliere 
determined to erect fortifications. He issued orders, in 1684, 
to the inhabitants, requiring them to cut down, and bring in 
large stakes of cedar. To this order a ready response was 
given, the inhabitants having worked so vigorously dur- 
ing the winter of that year, that early in the spring of 
1685 six hundred men were started to work in erect- 
ing . the palisade. This when completed, rose about 
15 feet above the ground, with watch towers, platforms, and 
a gate, so that the place might be shut and guarded. For 
this work the inhabitants were compelled to furnish the stakes, 
which were then put up at the expense of the King.* As 
might be expected, these wooden erections did not prove 
very durable, and repairs had to be made each year. 
In 171 3, by the treaty of Utrecht, peace was ensured to 
France, and as a natural result, the resources of the colony in 
New France were greatly developed. It was now (171 3) re- 
solved to construct in the future, the enclosure at Montreal, in 
stone, and in lieu of furnishing the stakes for the wooden pali- 

• The red line in Plate 6 shews the line of these Palisades. 



1 1 

sade, it was ordered that a portion of the expense of the new 
w alls should be paid by the inhabitants. The Engineer upon 
whom devolved the duty of preparingplansfor the new works, 
was M. Chaussegros de Lery, who submitted two plans, one of 
which followed to some extent the lines of the wooden pali- 
sades, cutting off a portion of the town as then laid out. The 
plan adopted was that shewn in plate 6, which was recom- 
mended by him on the ground " that it will not be more ex- 
pensive than the other, while it will be incomparably bet- 
ter for defensible purposes." To provide for the erection of 
the new fortifications, an act was passed in May, 1716, author- 
izing M. deRamezay, Governor of Montreal,* to proceed with 
the work, and for the purpose about 300,000 livres were to be 
advanced by the French King. One half of this sum was to 
be charged to His Majesty's account, while the other half was 
to be paid by the Seminary, (Siegneurs of the Island.) and 
the Inhabitants. The Seminary to pay yearly 2000 livres, and 
the citizens 4000 until the amount was paid off. Officers of 
the Army, and any others in the King's service were exempt 
from the tax. This tax was cheerfully paid by the inhabitants, 
but the Seminary objected to the proportion charged them+ 
but without avail. They urged in their petition that " the 
tax had been made with little equity.since it levied 2000 livres 
yearly, which is the third of the whole tax, instead of which 
the Seminary ought not to pay the hundredth part of it in pro- 
portion to the number of those who are liable to pay." They 
also urged that they should be relieved on the grounds that 
rthey had " engaged to make large expenditure for the trans^- 
portation and establishment of a mission among the Indians 
along the Lake of theTwo Mountains." The French Counsel, 
however, viewed the matter in a different light, and in reply 



• Claude de R.'.mezay, Seigneur o f la Gesse, Knight of the Military Order of it. Louis, was 
appointed Governor of Montreal in 1703. His son, J. Bpt. Nicholas Roch de Ramezay. signed 
the Capitulation of Quebec. See Autograph, Plate 4, fig. 2. 

t Canadian MSS., pp. C67, 23rd May, 1720. 



12 

spoke of the manner in which the assessment had been 
made, and further stated : 

" It is in view cf that decree that the tax has been made, 
the Seminary however pretend to ignore it, although it had 
full knowledge of it before and after, and the counsel re- 
member the trouble that theAbbe de St.Aubin took formerly 
to hinder it." The counsel does not think that anything which' 
has been done ought to be changed. 

(Signed,) L. A. DE Bourbon. 

Le Marechal D'Estrees.* 

In 17 17, (18th August), De Lery forwarded to France a 
lengthy report as to the advantages offered by Montreal for 
the purpose of fortifications. From it we gather' the follow- 
ing interesting facts as to the condition of the town at the 
time named, and also of the proposed improvements. Refer- 
ence to plate 6, will explain some of the principal points 
referred to by him. " The town of Montreal is very exten- 
sive, its circumference is three quarters of a league, its forti- 
fication having 18 19 toises (fathoms) enclosed. It is enclosed 
only by a poor enclosure of stakes, a part of which are rotten.. 
The inhabitants, have made in it several openings, and there 
is no door in a state to be shut. It is not shut during the 
whole year, and as we are in this country exposed every day 
to be at war with the English, and with the Indians, and as 
we cannot hear of the declaration of war in Europe, except 
after the English, they could very easily take the town in 
the state in which it is. What remains of the enclosure of 
stakes will last at most four or five years. Therefore I have 
determined to commence an enclosure capable to resist 
the artillery that the English might bring from Orange.-f* If 
I had commenced it weaker, it would be no good for defence, 
and no advantage. The ground gets frozen so deep in this 
country that a wall alone can last any time. 

* See Autographs, Plate 4, figs. 3-4. t Now Albany. 



13 

11 I have been obliged to commence a ditch. The Gover- 
nors did not wish that any should be made, and that the en- 
closure should be made weaker than the one began. The 
council will see by the sections annexed to the plans* that 
the walls of the revetment are reduced only to three feet in 
thickness, which is the smallest thickness which can be given 
to the least fortification. 

u The nature of the ground requires that the foundations 
should be very deep ; but a great deal of the stone dug out of 
the foundation serves to build the revetment. The earth 
from the ditch is used to make a rampart, and thereby the 
thickness of the wall may be made less, and the fortification 
is better, being made according to the rules. 

"According to calculation, the enclosure made with a ditch, 
will cost half what it would, had it been made high up on 
the ground without aditch. Ihavecommenced on the Lachine 
gate, it being the side of attack. 

"There are some houses on the edge of £ little stream*[-which 
is dry during the summer, and which can be crossed during 
the winter on the ice. The Governors would like that these 
houses should serve in the enclosure of the town ; but it is not 
according to the rules that private houses should serve to en- 
close a city. Those houses having doors and windows which 
would open outside of the town, the proprietors might be at 
liberty to introduce the enemy into the place, and cause to en- 
ter or let out whom they should like. Moreover, those houses 
would break the road around the walls, which would hinder 
the watch to the security of the place, and again, that place 
would be without defense, which has always been against the 
orders of the King, and against the regulations he has made, 
his intention being that the road around be free, that a place 
should be defended everywhere, and that a large space 
should be left between the enclosure of a tovvn,and the houses. 
I cause the enclosure to pass before those houses, as the 

• See Plate 7. t Little, or St. Peter't River, tee Plate j. 



ground permits it, but as the Governors wish that those 
houses should serve in the enclosure, I beg very humbly 
the council to decide. 

"I have seen a regulation of M. the Marshal de Vauban's, 
in which it was ordered that Engineers shall inform the 
court about the difficulties met in working fortifications, 
the court reserving to itself the decision about the matter. 

" The situation of this town is advantageous and easy to 
fortify. I do not see that the surrounding country can 
inconvenience its fortifications. It is large, and there are 
many buildings going up, and the inhabitants commence to 
want sites to build houses, which fact shews it has been 
badly laid out, and even too much enlarged. It is now full 
of gardens which are useless in the midst of a town, and 
render the enclosure of the streets too large. Twice as 
many streets might easily be made, and thereby give sites to 
build houses. 

I have marked the plan of those streets, one of which 
will be more than a quarter of a league in length.* It 
appears to me necessary to settle those streets in order that 
they might be built upon, and that those who build should do 
it in such a way that it might not be necessary afterwards 
to make them move to cut other streets. I have the honor 
to send the plan to the council, and I shall wait for its decis* 
ion. 

It will be necessary to remove some houses which are 
marked on the plan, and it seems just that the owners of them 
should be indemnified. The Council might grant them some 
permits for commerce to Detroit or Michilimackinac. 

" I have marked a Place d'Armes*f- in front of the (paroisse) 
Parish Church, where might be made afterwards a number 
of barracks, the houses which are in that place being of small 
value. 

The enclosure is marked upon the ground conformably to 

* St. Paul Street t See Plate 6, 



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8AST/OA/8 Baho /+. 





BAST/OA/S 0/y/ 

J TO 8 






the plan. I have stockaded all the angles in a permanent 
way, at a certain height, on the side of the River. 

" The powder magazine* of this town is bad. The wall is 
open in some places, and it is covered with a wooden roof. 

" I have marked on the plan a powder magazine on the 
top of the hill.f 

Done at Montreal, the ioth of August, 17 17. 

(Signed,) Chaussegros de Lery. 

During the same year, De Lery commenced the work, but 
from lack of funds it was discontinued, and for some years 
nothing of consequence was done. In 17 18, a sum 
of 15,000 livres was voted for the erection of Prisons and 
Court Houses in Montreal and Quebec, and De Lery vainly 
endeavored to induce the Government to assign a portion of 
the amount towards the continuance of his work, urging that 
if these funds were in hard cash, it was more than enough 
to build the prisons, and he " begs the Council that the 
amount it will be able to get from that fund, after the pris- 
ons are made, be employed in the fortifications of the en- 
closure of Montreal. " If the Council were to grant that 
amount of 15000 livres, for the said enclosure, to commence 
in 1719, and the said amount added to 4,000 livres which the 
inhabitants of the town give, and 4,000 from the priests of 
the Seminary of St. Sulpice, who are the Seigneurs of the 
whole island, and whose income would be more than suffi- 
cient for the keeping of the priests. These gentlemen do 
not give much, only 2,000 livres for the enclosure, and the 
Council gives them, I am told, 6,000 livres yearly. That sum 
might be employed toward the fortification of the city ; and 
as at Quebec a garrison for the guard of the castle is useless, 
since there is none, the funds appropriated for that purpose 
would certainly be better employed for the security of the 
colony in the construction of the enclosure of the City of 
Montreal, than for the private benefit of the person who gets 



• Sea Plate 6. t Citadel Hill, ww Dalhousie Square, See " Royal Battery," Plat* 6 



i6 

it. The funds taken from the Seminary of Montreal, 
and those from the garrison of the Castle of Quebec, as well 
as the contribution levied upon the inhabitants, (and it if 
imposed with equity : each inhabitant having to pay in pro- 
portion to his income. It is certain that this sum, if it was 
contributed by every inhabitant equally, would not amount 
to more than five or six livres each), will make a total, 
namely : 

From the Council 15,000 

" Seminary of St. Sulpice 6,000 

" Garrison of the Castle of Quebec 7,000 

" The Inhabitants of Montreal 8,000 

Some leases 4,000 

Total 40,000 

which would be sufficient to enclose the City of Montreal 
with an enclosure as it has been approved of by the Council, 
in five years." 

The Council did not entertain De Lery's proposal, and 
the original document now lies in Paris, with a marginal 
note thereon, as follows : " En delibere, — intended to shew 
him the impossibility of what he proposes. 

La Chapelle."* 

During the years which elapsed, up to 1721, no progress 
was made, as we learn from DeLery's report for that year, 
wherein he says : " I have not had the work continued since 
17 17, for want of money. I have merely taken about twenty 
stakes from a salient angle where the wall passes, which the 
contractor has used for scaffolding, according to contract of 
the 8th of May, 17 17, the original of which is in France, in 
the bureau of the Colonies, Those stakes are to be sold in 
behalf of the new enclosure when near ready. 

" I have the honor to represent to the Council that the 
Governors have taken a very great interest in the preser- 

• See Autograph, Plate 4r No. 5. 



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17 

vation of the fortifications ; and, it has happened, that when 
regiments, and the inhabitants of the towns, have caused 
damage to the fortifications, the troops have been admon- 
ished, and the inhabitants have repaired what they had 
■damaged. 

" I beg the Council to give orders that whatever may be 
damaged or carried away, be replaced at the expense of 
those who do it, and to order me to apprise the Council of 
it, which is the only means to prevent, in this Colony, the ruin 
of the fortifications, otherwise it will cost a great deal to 
His Majesty every year, as has already happened, to re- 
place what has been taken away, and to make good the 
damage. The same order must be understood in regard to 
the King's buildings, artillery, &c. 

" It is also necessary, that the Town of Montreal be shut 
up and guarded, as it was formerly, until it is fortified with 
walls." 

In 172 1, the work was fairly entered upon, and De Lery 
spent the greater part of the summer at Montreal, super- 
intending the work. 

As the work progressed, considerable difficulty was ex- 
perienced in negotiating with the inhabitants for the land on 
which the walls were to be erected.* Accordingly in 1726, 
M. Begomf the Intendant, issued an order requiring all pro- 
prietors of the lands to bring their titles of property to M. 
Rambault, (Procureur du Rot,) that an estimate of their 
value might be made. The owners, however, had but little 
confidence in the official honesty of the day, and no atten- 
tion was paid to the order, and in 1726, Begon, in his des- 
patch, expresses his belief that the inhabitants " perhaps 
feared that they will be re-imbursed only according to the 
amount of their deeds, the lands having greatly increased in 
value since they have had possession of them." The Inten- 
dant, however, was not to be hindered in this manner, and 

• Vaudreuil'i Despatches. t See Autograph, Plate 8. fig. 1. 



therefore, notwithstanding the want of the title deeds, he 
appointed Commissioners* to set a value upon them, accords 
ing to the knowledge they had of the same. Of course this 
plan caused dissatisfaction, which, however, was of little avail,, 
for the land was expropriated, and the work upon the walls 
steadily progressed until they were finally completed. 

The fortifications were somewhat formidable in appear- 
ance, although subsequent events proved them to be of 
but little real value, nor were they destined to pass through 
any ordeal calculated to test their durability. 

In 1747, a celebrated traveller,")- who visited the town, 
describes it as being " well fortified, surrounded by a high 
and thick wall. In front runs the River, while on the other 
sides is a deep ditch, filled with water, which secures the 
inhabitants against all danger from sudden incursions of the 
enemy. It cannot, however, stand a long siege, as on ac- 
count of its extent, it would require a large garrison. The 
gates are numerous, there being five on the river side." 

Fortunately the inhabitants were not exposed to much 
danger or suffering at the hands of an enemy, and we ques- 
tion whether any fortified city ever fell more easily into the 
hands of its captors, than did the good City of Montreal, 
when on the morning of the 18th of September 1760, Am- 
herst's \ army entered with colors flying and drums beating, to 
take possession of its forts and towers, and on that day from 
its walls was thrown to the breeze the red banner of Eng- 
land. 

In view of the following letter from a French officer, can 

* M. Rambault and M. Degue. t Professor Kalm of the University of Abo in Sweden. 

\ Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, was born in Kent, England, January 29th, 1717. He entered the 
Army in 1731. In 1758, (16th March), he sailed from Portsmouth, as Major-General, having 
command of the troops destined for the seige of Louisbourg, which place he captured on the 
»6th of July following. In 1759 he commanded one of the armies formed for the conquest of 
Canada. Having captured several minor forts, Montreal surrendered to his army, on the 
Ith September, 1760. He continued in command in Canada until 1763, when he returned to 
England. For his gallant services he was (in 1776) created Baron Amherst of Holmdale in 
Kent, and in 1782 received another Patent as Baron Amherst of Montreal, He died (leaving 
»o Issue) at his seat in Kent, August 3, 1701. See Autograph, Plate, 8, fig, 2. 



5! 



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: MQHJ 'F 




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19 

■we wonder that the brave Vaudreuil * should have ac- 
cepted the terms proposed.f No more desperate position 
could be conceived. The writer states : " We were shut up in 
Montreal. Amherst's army appeared in sight on the side 
towards the Lachine gate, on the 7th September, about 3 
in the afternoon, and General Murray, with his army from 
Quebec appeared two hours after at the opposite side of the 
town. Thus the black crisis was at hand for the fate of 
Canada. Montreal was no ways susceptible of a defence. 
It was surrounded with walls, built with design only to pre- 
.serve the inhabitants from the incursions of the Indians, lit- 
tle imagining at that time, that it would become the theatre 
of a regular war, and that one day they would see formid- 
able armies of regular well disciplined troops before its walls. 
We were, however, all pent up in that miserable bad place, 
without provisions, a thousand times worse than a position 
in an open field, whose pitiful walls could not resist two hours 
cannonade, without being levelled to the ground, and when 
we would have been forced to surrender at discretion if the 
English had insisted upon it. The night between the 7th 
and 8th was passed in negotiating for the Articles of Cap- 
itulation. But in the morning all the difficulties were re-J 
moved, and Gen. Amherst accorded conditions infinitely 
more favorable than could be expected in thecircumstances." J 
Whatever value the French inhabitants may have placed 
upon their stone walls, the troops do not appear to have 
placed much faith in them as a means of defence, and after 
the capitulation to the English, the new rulers paying but little 

* Marquis de Vaudreui!, the last Governor oi Canada under French Regime, was born at 
Quebec in i6q8. While comparatively young, he entered the military service, and speedily 
rose to the rank of Major. In 1733, he was appointed Governor of Three Rivers, and in 1743 
ot Louisiana ; being exceedingly popular in both positions. In 1748 he succeeded to his 
father's title, and in 1750 was appointed Governor of Canada, in which position he continued 
until the capitulation of Montreal in 1760. He died in France in 1764. See Autograph, Plate 
S, ng. 3- 

t See Appendix A. 

t See Plan of Montreal at time of conquest, Plate g, and View of Montreal in T760, from 
a rare print, Plate jo. 



20 



attention to them, they gradually fell into decay, and. 




RARE MEDAL, BEARING A VIEW OF MONTREAL IN 



when in 1775, Montgomeryf and the American troops ap- 
peared in front of the town, and demanded its surrender,, 
the citizens, although knowing full well that their ruined 
walls would prove no defence, determined to enforce, if pos- 
sible, the observance of military custom ere they surrender- 
ed, and while they had neither ammunition, artillery, troops 
nor provisions to withstand a siege, they drew up their own 
articles of capitulation, % which were accepted, and on theisth 
November, 1775, at 9 o'clock, the Continental troops took 
possession by the Recollet Gate,§ only, however, to retain- 
their position for a few brief months, when the old flag again- 



• This Medal is the only one thus far met with, bearing the word Mohigrans (Mohicans ?) on 
the reverse. A similar medal with the word " Onondagas," has, however, been found. The 
Medal here represented is now in the valuable collection owned by H. Mott, Esq., President 
of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal. 

t Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, was born in Ireland in 1737. He entered the 
British Army, and served under Wolfe at Quebec ; but subsequently entered the Continental 
(American) Army, and was placed in command of the force sent to conquer Canada. On the- 
13th November, 1775, Montreal wai captured ; but he lost his life in the attack upon Quebec, 
in December of the same year. See Autograph, Plate 8, fig. 4, 

\ See Appendix B. § See Plate 6. 



floated from " Citadel Hill." From this time onward, Mon- 
treal prospered, and extended its borders in every direction, 
so much so, that in 1797, the city having o'erleaped its for- 
mer bounds, and the walls having become a decided nui- 
sance, it was resolved to remove them. The Lower Canada 
House of Assembly, in 1S01, consequently passed an Act 




appointing the Hon. James McGill,* Hon. John Richardson,f 

• Hon. James McGill was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 6th October, 1744. While a young 
man he emigrated to Canada, and settled in Montreal, engaging successfully in commercial 
pursuits. His integrity, public spirit, and practical good sense, gained for him the confidence 
of his fellow citizens, and he was elected their representative in Parliament, and continued for 
some years as such. He died at Montreal, on the 19th December, 1813, at the ageof 69 years. 
Not having any children, he bequeathed his beautiful estate of Burnside, with a sum of ^10,000, 
for the foundation of the University which now bears his name. See Portrait and Autograph, 
above. 

t Hon. John Richardson was for some years a member of the Executive and Legislative 



22 

and Jean Marie Mondelet, Esq., N. P., J Commissioners, to re- 
move them. The walls having been erected at the joint ex^ 
pense of the Government and Citizens, a similar partition 
attended the cost of their removal, the expense being equal- 
ly divided. 

As we have previously stated, a considerable portion of the 
land on which the walls were erected, had been taken with- 
out compensation. The Act passed in 1801, provided : 
"That it is just and reasonable that the lands which the 
said walls and fortifications now occupy, and which do not 
belong to His Majesty, should be delivered up to the lawful 
proprietors thereof, their heirs or assigns." The settlement 
of claims under this Act required several years to complete, 
and in the mean time, the Act was continued, until finally, 
in 18 17, the walls were entirely removed. A glance at the 
map-f- will shew those acquainted with the present City, 
that the walls extended along the river front from the 
corner of the old barracks, to the foot of McGill Street, along 
which it passed, enclosing part of the present Victoria 
Square, thence along Fortification Lane, across the Champ 
de Mars, onward through St. Louis Street, to Dalhousie 
Square, and then returning to the barrack corner. 

When the work of demolition was completed, the Com- 
missioners proceeded to lay out a square, and wider street 
on the western terminus of the city ; and, readily agreeing, 
d< tided to perpetuate the memory of their labours by con- 

Ccuncils of Lower Canada. He was distinguished during a residence of near fifty years in 
th Province, by the rectitude and consistency of his conduct, by his spirit of enterprise in 
promoting improvement, and by the most extensive benevolence. He was born at Portsoy, in 
the- County of Banff, North Britain, and emigrated to the Colonies (now the United States) in 
1774, and came to Canada in 1787, where he attained great eminence as a merchant ; and dis- 
played, in his long career of public service, the talent with which he was endowed. He died 
on the 18th of May, 1831, in the 77th year of his age. The Richardson Wing of the Montreal 
General Hospital was erected to his memory, See Autograph, Plate 8, fig. 6. 

• Jean Marie Mondelet, was son of Dominique Mondelet, a native of France, who came to 
Canada under the French Government as Assistant Army Surgeon. Mr. J. M. Mondelet was 
a prominent personage in politics, and represented Montreal East, in Parliament, during several 
sessions. He was a Notary by Profession, and was much respected in the City. See Auto- 
graph, Plate 8, fig. 5. t Plate 9. 






||||BlllBIBl!iJ ! ^'> l - |il :!l ,,, :' ; '.iv,: 










O 



CD 



CO 

o 

CO 



LU 

cc: 



23 



ferring their name on the square, (the present Victoria 
Square), which was accordingly named " Commissioners 
Square," and continued to be known as such until a few 
days before the Prince of Wales' arrival, when one of the 
Councillors very cleverly proposed to alter its name to 
Victoria Square, in commemoration of said visit. The For- 
tification Removal Commissioners readily came to an agree- 
ment respecting the name of their square, but seem to have 
had a little " tiff," over the name o( the new street. Before 
they widened it, it was called St. Augustin Street. Mr McGill 
called it McGill Street, and entered it as such on the deed of 
homologation. Mr. Richardson contended, on the contrary, 
that'it should be called after him, and did likewise on the 
deed. Mr. Mondelet also put in his claim, arguing with equal 
justice, that it should be known as Mondelet Street, and in 
his turn also entered it as such. It is hard to tell who decided 
the question between these three contestants, but the deed 
shows that Mr. Richardson's and Mr. Mondelet's names were 
erased, and Mr. McGill's allowed to remain. 

While removing the old Fortifications, an interesting relic 
of early days was discovered in one 
of the bastions. The old French 
Halbard thus discovered, belongs to 
a period dating back to the very 
earliest history of the City, and we 
may picture to ourselves the French 
sentry bearing this weapon while 
pacing to and fro upon his beat with- 
in the old wooden palisades, or upon 
r^i the ramparts of the more modern 

I walls. This relic was formerly in the. 

collection of Sir G. Duncan Gibb, 
M. D., Bart, (now of London), 
formerly an honored resident of Mon- 
treal. It was presented by him to 
the Natural History Society of Montreal. 




24 

By order of the Commissioners the old -Citadel Hill was 
razed, and when, in 1821, the site was presented to the City 
by the Governor General, the Earl of Dalhousie,*the Square 
then opened, was in honor of the liberal donor, designat- 
ed " Dalhousie Square," by which name it is still known. 

It is difficult to say if any portion of the old French wall is 
still above ground. The water front of the Quebee Gate Bar- 
racks is supposed to be built upon a part of it, and is the only 




OLD BARRACKS. 

portion left, being with the old Barrack on Water Street, the 
only vestige remaining of French military power in this city. 
The Government store houses of the ancicn regime were in 
the same part of the town, east of the Bonsecours Church ; 
and " owing to the venality of Varin, ' the Commissary of 
the Marine,' and Martel, ' the Storekeeper,' two gentlemen 
who displayed great talent in cheating the French Govern- 
ment out of its stores, and charging for them twice over, 
early received the name of La Friponne, a name which still 
adheres to the lane on which they abutted." 



* George, ninth Earl of Dalhousie, was born in 1770, and succeeded to the title on the death 
of his father in November, 1787. He entered the army the same year as a Cornet in the 3rd 
Dragoon Guards, and during his military career rendered the most valuable service. Iu 1816, 
he was appo : nted Lieut. -Genera 1 Commanding in Nova Scotia, and on the death of the Duke of 
Richmond, succeeded him as Governor of British North America, which high office he retained 
until 1828. He died at Dalhousie Castle, Scotland, m the 21st March, 183S. See Autograph, 
Plate 8, fig. 7. 



25 

At the present time, there stand on the line of Sherbrooke 
Street, (west of Guy Street,) two remarkable looking stone 
towers, having at the first glance, an appearance not unlike 




OLD TOWERS AND COLLEGE. 

the remains of old wind mills. These quaint looking cir- 
cular towers, with their rough walls, contrast strangely with 
the more beautiful masonry of the massive walls of the im- 
jiiense structure in their rear, known as the Great Seminary. 
Yet we honor the " Gentlemen of the Seminary" for the feel- 
ings which have prompted them to retain these old land- 
marks. For over a century and a half, have these towers 
withstood the assaults of time, and in their early history 
they served to guard the entrance within the wall which 
surrounded the old " Maison de Prttres" as the first build- 
ing w T as called. Within these towers have gathered, some of 
the early Priests, and their Indian converts, looking anxiously 
towards the dark forest by which they were surrounded, ex- 
pecting, yet dreading the appearance of the treacherous and 
savage foe. Here also, the gentle Madame Bourgeoys* has 
sat, and taught the young Indian girls, and endeavored to 

* Marguerite Bourgeoys, the pious and benevolent Founder of the Convent of the Congrega- 
tion of Notre Dame at Montreal, was born at Troyes, in France, on the 15th April, 1620, and was 
brought to Canada in September, 1603, by Maisonneuve, who had been visiting France. She 
died full of days ar.d honors on the 12th of January, T700, aged 80 years. See Autograph, Plate 
Z, fig. 8. 



26 

impart to them some of that zeal which fired her own heart* 
How changed is the scene ! Now, villa and mansion sur- 
round the spot, and there is nought of by gone days, save 
these two solitary towers, the last remaining relics of the 
" Fort de la Montague!' 

Though strictly speaking, the old fort does not come 
within the compass of this work, still its connection with 
the early settlement, is so intimate, that I feel justified in 
thus dwelling upon its past history, and present appearance. 

I shall now close by stating, that some years ago, plans 
were prepared, by order of the British Government, for the 
erection of most extensive and formidable batteries, and 
other defences for the city. By those plans it was intended 
that the works should extend from about two miles below 
the city, on the opposite shore of the St. Lawrence, to the 
foot of the Lachine Rapids, taking a curvelinear form, with 
a radius of two miles from the river. These were to be 
surrounded with a wet ditch, and have five bomb-proof forts* 
each containing a small barracks and arsenal. A sixth fort 
of superior size was to be erected on St. Helen's IslaneL 
All these works were to be of stone, faced with earth. For 
this object, land was acquired, but it is more than probable 
that the stone pillars bearing the well known broad arrow 
and the letters B. O., which serve to mark the boundary of 
the purchased land, is all the stone work which will ever be 
erected thereon by the Government. Let us hope that the 
necessity may never arise for further expenditure, but that 
learning to " bear and forbear," we may live at peace with 
all, and cultivate only such feelings as shall forever remove 
any apprehension of difficulty, or dispute between Canada and 
its neighbors, or other nations. 

• See Appendix C. 



APPENDIX A. 

CAPITULATION IN i;6o. 

The Articles of Capitulation were fifty-five in number, 
and in almost every instance were readily granted by Amherst. 
DeVaudreuil, however, endeavored to secure further conces- 
sion, if possible, and urged the same through the officers 
•charged with arranging the details. To his demand, the 
following letter was sent : 

Camp before Montreal, 
7th Sept., 1760. 
SIR, — Major Abercrombie has just communicated to me 
the letter which your Excellency has honored me with, in 
answer to that I have addressed you, with the conditions 
on which I expect the surrender of Canada. I have already 
had the honor to advise you that I shall not make any al- 
teration. You will then be pleased to decide at once, and 
inform me in answer, whether you will accept them. Yes 
or no. 

Sir, your Excellency's 

Most humble and most obed. servant, 

Jeff. Amherst. 

To the Terms of Capitulation, the Chevalier de Levis 
entered his protest, and asked Vaudreuil's permission to 
retire to St. Helen's Island with his troops, and there de- 
fend himself. When refused, he requested that such refusal 
should beforwarded in writing, and accordingly DeVaudreuil 
sent the following order : 

" Whereas, the interests of the Colony does not permit 



28 

me to reject the conditions proposed by the English Gene- 
ral, which are favorable to a country whose lot is confided to> 
me, I order Chevalier de Levis to conform himself to the 
said capitulation, and to make the troops lay down their 
arms." 

Vaudreuil.. 
Montreal, 8th Sept., 1760. 



APPENDIX B. 

CAPITULATION OF MONTREAL IN 1775. 

. . . The inhabitants assembled, and the following articles 
of capitulation were drawn up and presented to Montgom- 
ery* ^ a deputation of the most respectable citizens : 

" 1st. That the citizens and inhabitants of Montreal, as 
well individuals as religious orders and communities, with- 
out any exception, shall be maintained in the free possession 
and enjoyment of their rights, goods and effects, movable 
and immovable, of what nature soever they may be. 

" 2nd. That the inhabitants, French and English, shall be 
maintained in the free exercise of their religion. 

c<< 3rd. That trade in general, as well within the province 
as in the upper countries, and parts beyond the seas, shall 
be carried on freely as heretofore, and passports shall be 
granted for that purpose. 

" 4th. That passports shall be granted to those who may 
want them for the different parts of this Province, or else- 
where, on their lawful affairs. 

" 5 th. That the citizens and inhabitants of the town and 
suburbs of Montreal, shall not be compelled, on any pre- 
tence whatsoever, to take up arms against the Mother Coun- 
try, nor to contribute in any manner towards carrying on, 
war against her. 



29 

? 6th, That the citizens and inhabitants of the town and 
suburbs, or any other part of the country, who have taken 
up arms for the defence of this Province, and are taken 
prisoners, shall be set at liberty. 

" 7th. That Courts of Justice shall be established for the 
determination of property ; and that the judge of the said 
Courts shall be elected by the people. 

" 8th. That the inhabitants of the town shall not be sub- 
jected to lodge troops. 

" 9th. That no inhabitant of the country, or savages, shall 
be permitted to enter the town until the Commandant shall 
have taken possession and provided for the security thereof* 

(Signed,) 

John Porteous. Pierre Panet. 

Richard Huntley. Pierre Meziere. 

John Blake. St. George Dupre. 

Edw, Wm. Gray. Louis Carignant. 

James Finlay. Francois Malhoit. 

James McGill. Pierre Guy." 

To this Montgomery returned the following written an- 
swer : 

"I do hereby certify that the above articles were pres- 
ented to me, to which I have given the following answers ; 

" The City of Montreal having neither ammunition, artil- 
lery, troops nor provisions ; and having it not in their power 
to fulfil one article of the treaty, can claim no title to a cap- 
itulation. 

" The continental arms have a generous disdain of every 
act of oppression and violence ; they are come for the ex- 
press purpose of giving liberty and security. The General 
therefore, engages his honor to maintain in the peaceable 
enjoyment of their property of every kind, the individual 
and religious communities of the city of Montreal. 



3Q 

" The inhabitants, whether English, French, or others, 
shall be maintained in the free exercise of their religion. 

" The present unhappy contention between Great Britain 
and her colonies, puts it out of his power to engage for a 
freedom of trade to the Mother Country ; nor can he make 
a general promise of passports. As far as it consists with 
the safety of the troops and the public good, he shall be 
happy to promote commerce ; and for that purpose promises 
to grant passports to the Upper Countries when required. 

" The General hopes to see such a virtuous provincial con- 
vention assembled, as will enter with zeal into every measure 
that can contribute to set the civil and religious rights of this 
and her sister colonies on a permanent foundation. He pro- 
mises for himself that he will not compel the inhabitants of 
the town to take up arms against the Mother Country, or 
contribute towards the expenses of carrying on the present 
war. 

The continental army came into this Province for its pro- 
tection ; they therefore cannot consider its opposers as taking 
up arms for its defence. 

" It is not in the General's power to engage for the return 
of prisoners. Motives of humanity will induce him to use 
his interest for their return to their families, provided it can 
be done without endangering the public safety. Speedy 
measures shall be taken for establishing Courts of Justice^ 
upon the most liberal plan, conformable to the British Con- 
stitution. 

"The inhabitants shall not be burdened with troops, but : 
when necessity requires it ; of which necessity, the General 
must be the judge. 

"The inhabitants' of the country, and savages, shall not - 
enter the town till the guards are posted. 

"To-morrow morning, at nine o'clock, the continental - 
troops shall take possession of the Recollet Gate. The pro- * 
per officers must attend with the keys of all public stores, • 



3i 

upon the Quarter-Master General, at nine o'clock, at the 
Recollet Gate. 

" This engagement is understood and declared to be bind- 
ing on any future commanding officer of the continental 
troops that may succeed me in this district. 

(Signed,) RICHARD MONTGOMERY, 

Brigadier- General, Co n tin en (a I A rmy. 

Montreal, 12th November, 1775." 



APPENDIX C, 

THE OLD TOWERS OF THE "FORT DE 
MESSIEURS." 

Our gifted Canadian Poetess, Mrs. J. M. Leprohon, has 
made these towers the subject for a beautiful poem, from 
which we now quote, and we heartily respond to the senti- 
ment expressed in the closing lines. 

" On the eastern slope of Mount Royal's side, 
In view of St. Lawrence' silvery tide, 
Are two stone towers of masonry rude 
With massive doors of time-darkened wood ; 
Traces of loop-holes still show in the walls 
Whilst softly across them the sun light falls ; 
Around, stretch broad meadows, quiet and green 
Where cattle graze — a fair, tranquil scene. 

Those old towers tell of a time long past 
When the red man roamed o'er these regions vast, 
And the settlers — men of bold heart and brow, 
Had to use the sword as well as the plough ; 



32 

When women, no lovelier now than then, 
Had to do the deeds of undaunted men, 
And had higher aims for each true warm heart 
Than study of fashion's or toilet's art 



It was in those towers — the southern one — 

Sister Margaret Bourgeoys, that sainted nun 

Sat patiently teaching, day after day, 

How to find Jesus — the blessed way, 

Mid the daughters swarth of the forest dell, 

Who first from her of a God heard tell ; 

And learned' the virtues that woman should grace 

Whatever, might be her rank, or her race. 

Here, too, in the chapel tower buried deep, 
An Indian brave and his grand-child sleep, 
True model of womanly virtues — she — 
Acquired at Margaret Bourgeoys' knee; 
He, won unto Christ from his own dark creed, 
From the trammels fierce of his childhood freed, 
LoWly humbled his savage Huron pride 
And amid the pale faces lived and died. 

With each added year grows our city fair ; 
Churches rich, lofty, and spacious square, 
Villas and mansions of stately pride, 
Embellish it now on every side ; 
Buildings — old landmarks — vanish each day, 
For stately successors to quick make way ; 
But iv e pray from change, time may long leave free 
The ancient towers of Ville Marie ! 



33 

APPENDIX D. 

KEY TO CHAMPLAIN'S MAP OF ISLAND OF 
MONTREAL, (PLATE I.) 

A — Small place which I got cleared. (Pointe a Calliere.) 

B — Small Pond. (Viger Square.) 

C — Island where I caused a stone wall to be built (Island 
Wharf.) 

D — Brook where the boats are kept. (Now covered by 
Commissioners Street.) 

E — Prairies where the Indians remain when they come 
into the country. (Point St. Charles.) 

F — Mountains. (Belceil.) 

G— Pond. 

H — Mount Royal. 

I —Small Brook. (Now called River St. Pierre.) 

L — The Sault or Rapids. 

M — Place where the Indians pass their canoes over land, 
going Northwards. 

N — Place where one of our men, and an Indian were 
•drowned. 

O, P, Q, S, T, V, X— Islands. 

Y — Prairies. (La Prairie.) 

Z — Small River. (La Tortue River.) 

2 — Large and fine Island. (Nun's Island.) 

3 — Shallow places where the water is much agitated. 

4 — Prairies, at times covered with water. 

5 — Shoals. 

6 — Small Island. 

7 — Rocks. 

S — St. Helen's Island. 

9— Small barren Island. 

LofC. 



JAN 2 1903 



I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
III 




017 396 548 5 







